Earlier this year, the Cape Racing team celebrated the completion of the first phase of a year-long rejuvenation project at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth which saw the transformation of the racecourse into a world-class racing facility.
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In addition, it was the early stage of re-imagining it as a multi-purpose lifestyle venue for the broader community.
The project has been driven by Cape Racing’s chairman, Greg Bortz, and Hollywoodbets owner and founder, Owen Heffer, who have collectively invested millions of rands into the industry and property over the last 18 months.
As the rebuild progressed, Bortz made the bold statement that the plan was to make Hollywoodbets Kenilworth “one of the top five racecourses in the world”.
“Our objective when we came in was to save racing. That’s changed now,” Bortz said.
“We have more lofty goals; the ambition now is to turn Hollywoodbets Kenilworth into one of the top five racecourses in the world.”
Cape Racing’s Chief Operating Officer, Donovan Everitt, adds: “We want to run this as a multipurpose property in the heart of the southern suburbs and as a site open for public recreation in a park format, with the guided parameters of the City.
“We also want the surrounding community to be exposed to horse racing and bring racing back to the forefront in an open-planned environment that hones in on the core fundamentals of the industry”.
24/7 operation
In addition to the weekly race meets, themed racing events like the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and thee World Sports Betting Cape Town Met are hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth every January.
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The aim is to turn Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in a 24/7 operation, rather than just the odd race day during season.
Fives Futbol and Padel are both part of the vision, as well as sports and fitness facilities, as well as a variety of lifestyle and conferencing spaces.
In addition, the improvements will also extend to the Kenilworth Conservation Area which is situated on the property and boasts an ecosystem rated higher than that of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
The team want to introduce walking, running and biking trails within this area while preserving its rich heritage and protecting our unique eco-assets.
There’s even been talk of a Parkrun every Saturday morning.
The next phase of this multi-million rand project is now underway, and its completion (scheduled for the end of 2025) will not only mark the reinvention of the local racing industry, but will become the new blueprint for the ultimate equestrian and entertainment experience in South Africa.
Upcoming race days
The Summer Festival of Racing at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth has begun for the 2024/25 season.
Save these dates as each feature day offers its own unique something special:
- 7 December: Sip & Shop, featuring the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (Free Event): Shop til you drop while sipping on cocktails and watch the horses fly by. Book your free ticket on Quicket.
- 14 December: Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie, featuring Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Free Event): A kaleidoscope of Cape heritage and tradition fused with exhilarating horseracing. Book your free ticket on Quicket.
- 22 December: Festive Fair, featuring De Grendel Cape Merchants (Free Event): Fast-paced racing and holiday cheer wrapped into one festive celebration.
- 4 January: L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Paid Event): Style and substance on one of the most prestigious race days in the social calendar. Tickets available now.
- 25 January: World Sports Betting Cape Town MET (Paid Event): High fashion, fast horses and artistic expression. Couture Unleashed is the event highlight of the summer season. Tickets available on Quicket now.
- 22 February: Seafood & Jazz Festival, featuring Cape Derby (Free Event): A seafood and jazz extravaganza with superb racing under the scorching summer sun. Free tickets coming soon.
- 16 March: Cape Racing Sales Day, featuring the CRS Big Cap (Free Event): The grand finale to the Summer Festival of Racing with top-tier racing to round off the lifestyle festival featuring the Cape Racing Sales Big Cap. Free tickets coming soon.
Have you visited Hollywoodbets Kenilworth recently?
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